Marshawn Lynch seemed content in retirement, riding camels and all the other fun things he did during his first summer off from football in a long time.

But there was a report on Thursday that indicated he might be reconsidering the whole retirement thing. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said on NBC’s pregame show before the Carolina Panthers played the Denver Broncos that Lynch is “up in the air” about returning to football, and to keep an eye on the story about Week 4 or 5.

But … why?

Lynch’s legacy is secure. He is and will always be one of the most popular and greatest players in Seattle Seahawks history. He’ll forever be associated as the key player on the Seahawks’ first Super Bowl championship team. His tough running style made him a fan favorite, as did his iconoclast ways. He’s one of the most recognizable NFL players from this era.

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He is already busy after retirement. He has a store in Oakland, Beast Mode Apparel, and has one reportedly coming to Seattle. He seemed to have a lot of fun in the offseason, too. Lynch doesn’t appear to be looking for something to do.

Lynch, according to multiple reports, is doing fine financially. Who knows, but there are no signs that Lynch needs to come back for a cash grab.

Lynch turned 30 in April. He was coming off a rough season physically, the type of season that makes someone step away from the game while they still have their health. Sure, the draw of playing in front of 70,000 fans on Sundays has to be strong — and one has to assume it was tough for Lynch to see his former teammates when they came to play the Oakland Raiders in last week’s preseason finale — but there are a lot of reasons for Lynch to stay retired. He might not even come back to the Seahawks.

While the Seahawks still hold Lynch’s rights, Florio pointed out that they could trade him or release him if they don’t want to pay the large salary he’d have coming to him if he returns.

So a return, after a tough year physically, at an age in which many running backs are not effective anymore, perhaps not even to the Seahawks when Lynch probably doesn’t need the money … why would he do it?

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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